Chapter 13 - Lila Became Afraid of Mirrors and Wedding Veils
The physical mark on her forehead disappeared quickly.
The fear did not.
For months, Lila avoided standing near large mirrors.
At clothing stores, she turned away from fitting-room mirrors.
If fabric brushed over her hair unexpectedly, she panicked.
The white veil association surprised me most.
At a family friend’s wedding months later, Lila saw the bride crossing a hallway and immediately gripped my trousers.
“No.”
I crouched beside her.
“What’s wrong?”
She pointed toward the veil.
We left.
No speeches about courage.
No forcing her to watch.
Recovery was gradual.
Her therapist used play, reflections, safe touch, and predictable routines.
Eventually mirrors became mirrors again.
Fabric became fabric.
But I never forgot that fear could attach itself to ordinary beautiful things.
A vanity.
Flowers.
A wedding dress.
A mirror.
Objects do not choose what memories they carry.
May you like
People do.
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